Peggy Landsman

OCTOBER 3, 1991

Ella K. Manning
died this afternoon. She breathed
her last breath, alone.

I got there too late.
My friend had already turned
into a body.

I sat with Ella,
with what had been her body,
but my friend was gone.

I got there too late.
My friend had already died.
I sat with what was...

I sat with what was
left of my friend—her body,
her energy’s form.

I got there too late.
My friend was already gone.
Only a body...

As I said, Ella
died this afternoon, I got
there too late, alone.